Daniel f



(No Model.)

Y D. F. MESSER.

v FELT BOOT. No. 343,135. Patented June 1, 1886.

2011606556 19121970807. "Z I Jame'eZI/Y/caaew M W V NITED STATES PATENT O FICE.

DANIEL F. MESSER, OF KENNEBUNK, MAINE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE HALF TO L. W. CHASE AND O. W. CHAMBERLAIN, BOTH OF BOSTON, MASS.

FELT BOOT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 343,135 dated June 1, 1886.

Application filed March 27, 1886. Serial No. 196,794.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL F. Masses, of Kennebunk, county of York, and State of Maine, have invented an Improvement in Felt Boots, of-which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

Felt boots are commonly made with tops or legs of felt, for additional warmth and protection; but such boots are very objectionable to put on, because of the thickness of the felt, and to obviate this difficulty the legs have been made of much larger diameter than is necessary or is comfortable when upon the foot, for boots to be comfortable should fit the leg snugly.

This invention has for its object to construct a felt boot having an extended top or leg portion in such manner that the same may be put on and removed from the foot with facility and without appreciable inconvenience, and that the top or leg portion may be brought tightly about the leg of the wearer.

In accordance with this invention the felt- I.

boot body,made in any usual or suitable manner, and having the extended top or leg portion,is slitted vertically in front, and a lacingcord is employed to draw the slitted top portion together; also, a re-enforcing-pieee is applied at the heel portion to re-enforce or stiffen the samc,'the said piece being slitted to permit of the insertion of the thumb of the wearer to remove the boot.

The drawing shows in side elevation a felt boot embodying this invention.

. The body portion of the boot, A, is made up of slivers delivered from a carding-machine in any usual or suitable manner, forming what is well known as a felt boot. The top portion of the boot is extended, as at a, to come well'up upon the leg of the wearer. The body A is slitted vertically in front from the top substantially down to the instep portion, and two re-enforcing strips, as b, are stitched to the edge of the slitted portion. Each strip 1) is punctured and eyeletcd, as at 6, through (No model.)

which a lacing-cord, d, is drawn. By thus slitting and lacing the front of the boot the top portion thereof may be drawn snugly about the leg of the wearer, to thus form a warmer and more comfortable boot, thus obviating the prejudice now existing to boots of this class, wherein the leg portion is usually much too large, and thereby cold and uncomfortable.

A re-enforcing piece, 6, preferably triangular in shape, is stitched to the heel portion of the boot, said piece being slitted, as herein shown, transversely, as at f, in which slit the thumb of the wearer may be inserted to re move the boot. The piece egives to the heel portion a certain amount of stiffness, and better enables it to withstand the wear to which it is subjected. v a

The boot constructed as herein described, while being more durable, is better adapted to insure a snug fit.

The triangular re-enforcing piece 6 and the re-enforcing piece b are preferably made of leather or some tough material.

I claim 1. The herein-described felt boot, it consisting of the felt body A, slitted in front, the re-enforcing strips 1), and fastenings for uniting the re-enforcing strips, and the re-enforcing heel-piece e,slitted at f, all substantially as described.

2. The herein-described felt boot, it consisting of the felt body A,slitted in front, the re-enforcing strips b, and fastenings for uniting the rc-enforcing strips, and the angular heel-piece 6, all substantially as described.

3. The herein-described felt boot, it consisting of the felt body A, having the angular re-enforcing heel-piece e, slitted at f, substan- 8 5 I DANIEL F. MESSER.

Witnesses: I

B. J. NoYEs, F. CUTTER. 

